A woman flashes the victory sign as she demonstrates with others from the Islamic Action Front and other opposition parties to demand political reforms, in Amman October 5, 2012. (photo by REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed )

Jordanian Islamists Support Return of Dissolved Parliament

Author: alkhaleejPosted November 28, 2012

Parties within the higher coordinating committee of Jordanian opposition parties said yesterday [Nov. 27] that they are shuffling their cards and working to solve their internal issues and confront the current political challenge.

Summary⎙ Print Islamist leaders have announced their support for the reinstatement of the dissolved Jordanian parliament. At the same time, the government is taking measures to prevent clashes between pro-government and opposition marches scheduled to take place in Amman.

Islamist leader Hamza Mansour announced his support for the reinstatement of the dissolved 16th parliament. The Islamic movement has discussed the “building initiative” with government officials. Security sources said that precautions will be taken on the ground to avoid a potential clash between the pro-government and opposition marches that will take place in Amman on Friday [Nov. 30].

Mansour said that the only solution to the current political crisis is the postponement of the elections to redraft the law, and the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament.

Participants felt that the movement's new position goes hand in hand with its objectives, namely suspending the upcoming elections until drafting a law that allows the movement to have a majority in the government.

On the other hand, security sources confirmed that a meeting will be held on Friday to discuss how to isolate the streets near the Firas roundabout in the Jabal Al-Hussein region in Amman to prevent any contact between the “Popular Uprising for Reform” march, to be led by the National Front for Reform and the opposition parties, and the “Enough is Enough” march, to be led by the “Loyalty to the Homeland and to its Commander” gathering. The two marches are supposed to begin from the same place.

Families of detainees who participated in recent protests against rising prices have continued their sit-in in front of the government palace in Amman, demanding the release of their children.

Jordan's Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said that the government’s decision to end fuel subsidies is a “national action” to “prevent the economic problem from worsening” under “financial distress and difficult circumstances.” He added that the Islamic movement “is a necessary part of Jordan’s political scene.”

In other news, five students were injured in two tribal quarrels in two Jordanian universities in the northeast and south of the country.